Poland began two days of national mourning on Sunday after six people were killed and 15 wounded in a shooting at Krakow’s Main Market Square. The attack took place on Saturday, November 7, in the Old Town square, a popular tourist area.
The national mourning period covers November 8 and 9, under a decree issued by the president. The Polish government published the decree.
Mourners left candles at the square, where part of the area remained cordoned off as investigators worked. Black flags and Polish flags with black ribbons were also displayed in the city.
Police wounded the 24-year-old suspect during their intervention. He was in critical condition in hospital, according to the report. Authorities said he appeared to hold far-right and ultranationalist views, but had not established a motive. Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the attack as far-right terrorism.
A British national was among those killed. Citizens of Austria, the United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal and Russia were among the wounded, authorities said. Two police officers were also injured while confronting the suspect; one was reported to be in critical condition.
Police said three bodies found at the suspect’s home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski were those of his sister, mother and father. The town is about 150 kilometers northeast of Krakow. Investigators also seized several firearms from the apartment.
The deaths at the home are separate from the six people killed in the square. DW reported that the suspect had no previous criminal record, citing Polish media reports.
Reid Bentley